Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

We know the word "righteous" means to be just or morally right.  And insofar as translation is concerned, this word accurately represents the meaning of the Greek work originally used in the New Testament.  We understand that we are righteous because God has forgiven us on the basis of our faith and not because we are morally good and deserving.

But, when all that is said and we've read several illustrations of the use of righteous or righteousness in the Bible and out, we are (or at least I am) still a bit unsure how to go about being righteous.  Of course, I can make a list of "dos" and another of "don'ts" but first that seems Pharisaical and then I still feel somewhat empty and lacking.  Righteousness is a character trait, not just an action.

Somewhere, in a commentary long since forgotten, I read that the English "righteous" came from "rightwise" and thus "righteousness" is "rightwiseness."  I just now confirmed this by several dictionaries online.  We know what "clockwise" means even though we sometimes turn the screw the wrong way and loosen when we meant to tighten. "Clockwise" is the way a clock's hands move.  "Rightwise", then, is the way "right" turns.  A person who has set his heart to be "rightwise" may get some things on THE LIST wrong, but when he discovers it he will turn the "rightwise" direction instead of being "counter-rightwise."

A person who turns his heart "counter-rightwise" too far, or especially if he obstinately ignores the loosening that is happening in his morality, will soon have his heart come apart and fall in pieces, coming under Peter's condemnation, "Cannot cease from sin." (2Pet2:14). It is no accident that righteousness is often set in contrast with lawlessness which is "wrongwiseness."

Be sure you are turning your heart "rightwise."  God is more concerned that your heart is set "rightwise" than He is in how many things you get right on THE LIST.
 
“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.” (Heb 1:9).
For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. (Rom 6:19).
 
Keith Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

There are so many ways that my study of the Minor Prophets informs my reading of the New Testament. One thing I noticed in Hosea involves a difference between Hosea’s original meaning and how Paul makes use of the passage. Here’s the quote in Hosea:

Hos. 13:14 “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.”

This comes in the midst of a declaration of judgment by God. As He gets to this verse, God seems to question whether he should forgive them yet again. His answer is clear from the last line “Compassion is hidden from my eyes.” Despite the pain punishing His people brings God – as seen throughout this book – the time for judgment has come. He calls to Death and Sheol to gather their tools and join Him: “where are your plagues? . . . where is your sting?”

Paul quotes this passage in 1 Cor. 15:55. His usage, however, is very different. Instead of calling for Death and Sheol to gather their tools, Paul is taunting them for being powerless. Instead of using this in a declaration of judgment, Paul is in the midst of a paean to the victory won by Christ for us.

How can this expression of destruction become an ode to victory? There is one tiny thing that occurred between the time of Hosea and Paul: Christ came. Through Christ, a promise of destruction became a promise of victory. And that is our reason and our hope.
 
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ​“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Cor 15:54-57).


Lucas Ward

Do you spend any time visiting people? Jesus gave a sobering scene of the final judgment in Matthew 25. One good trait commended in that passage is, visiting disciples in need. One cause of judgment against the wicked is, “you did not visit Me” (Matt. 25:43). One of the steps Moses took toward his usefulness as a servant of God was, “it came into his heart to visit his brethren,” (Acts 7:23). In our modern fast-paced time, we easily neglect this simple duty. Or, we assume somebody else will do it (like “the preacher”). How much time do you spend visiting people and providing for their greatest needs?

Warren Berkley, berksblog, May 20, 2019

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (Jas 1:27).

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
 
The biker leader stood before our church, beautiful "sleeves" from wrist to upper arms. His moniker is "Sober Joe" because at that time, he had been clean for about 20 years (he still is clean). Haltingly, he said how honored he felt to read the scripture because a little more than a year before, he was "among the lost. And, now, I am reading God's Word to you."

Paul commanded Timothy, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1Tim 4:13).  In that day, only a few could afford a copy of even a page of the Bible.  Thus, the reading at church was the only opportunity most had to learn the word of God.

In sharp contrast, in many churches today, the scripture reading is assigned to the men who can do little else but wish to participate in the services, or to a boy for training and encouraging purposes.  That most of the congregation turn to the passage and read along shows they have been conditioned to expect a muttered, barely understandable reading.  Does this show proper respect to God's word?  Those who read well are seldom allowed to do so for that would take something away from those who can do nothing else.  When, in fact, those often cannot even read the word with proper respect and clarity.

The reading of scripture should be a strong part of our worship.  First, we must teach this along with the proper honor and respect for God's word by both the reader and by the hearers.  Before the advent of printing, even illiterate people could memorize readings upon hearing them once.  We cannot do that, but both the reader and hearers can give that level of attention to the word of God. Joe had obviously practiced and was prepared to honor the word as God's.

In our culture, we stand to show respect, for the bride, for the national anthem, for the funeral, etc.  How much more should we stand for the public scripture reading?

Once upon a time, I insisted that the citation not be announced until after the scripture was read.  Turning to the passage to "read along" inadvertently communicates that the verbal reading is not very significant.  What is the reader's motivation to read with passion, to learn to read punctuation, to enunciate?  Those who care are reading it anyway and the others aren't listening anyway.  So, anyone who can mutter and speed read through the text and scramble back to their pew is acceptable.

Men must be taught the high honor they have been entrusted with when they are allowed to read God's word publicly.  Joe was not taught this, but knew it from his new heart.  They must see that it is not sufficient to read the passage through a couple of times during Bible class and then stand to read the Holy Word.  Young men should be encouraged to first learn to read and then be allowed to do so.

I once asked a well-spoken and knowledgeable man why he would not lead public prayer.  He replied that the prayer was so important that he knew he would be nervous and was afraid he would mess it up.  Would to God that some would adopt that attitude of importance and respect toward the public reading.

Elders can assign a young man to a good reader to practice for a reading to be done a month or more away.  They can practice together until the young man is ready.  The next time, he could be assigned to a different good reader where he will learn other facets of good reading.  If he will not make the effort or has not learned, the trainer should do the reading.  Men who will not make the effort to read well can also be asked to participate in such a learning program.  Are we more interested in not offending a member than we are in honoring God's word?  In fact, might not a negative reaction show a deeper need for spiritual training than for learning to read well?

The goal of public reading is that the hearer be able to understand without following along in a Bible (which can be problematic with so many translations anyway).  I recall an anecdote told by one of the teachers at Florida College:  In pioneer days, a blind preacher kept his youngest son home from the fields to read the scripture to him in preparation for next Sunday's sermon.  If he did not understand, he made the boy read it over and over until it was clear to him.  It was said that when the boy grew to manhood, many a dispute over a passage was settled by asking him to read it aloud.  His reading communicated the meaning so clearly that the dispute was settled without further argument.  I have tried to learn to read that way.  I believe our public readings should have that same goal.
 
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up.  And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground…and the Levites caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.  And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading. (Neh 8:5-8)
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer, Lucas Ward.
 
2 Pet. 1:4  "whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature"
The promises of God to us are truly great.  They are the reason we follow after Him.  We want to avoid Hell and we want to be with Him in Heaven.  In Romans 8 we are told that we will be joint-heirs with Christ.  Paul teaches the Colossians that we will have the opportunity to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light (1:12).  These are vague statements, however.  Other than "streets of gold" most of us have a very cursory understanding of the promises we hope in.  We often spend more time learning about Hell.  So, why is Heaven so great, and why should I want to go there?

Heaven provides a rest.  Heb 4:9,11  "There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. . . Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience."  Ok, so we get to rest, but what does that mean?  2 Thess. 1:7  "and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire"  So, part of the rest is a relief for those who are afflicted for their service to God.  So, all the snide comments, bullying, and out-and-out trouble we face for serving God will be at an end.  We also get rest from laboring for God:  "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them."  Rev. 14:13.  We sing a song, "We'll Work til Jesus Comes", and that is the life a Christian should live--being useful to God and serving Him.  Once we've inherited and live with Him in Heaven, that strenuous effort will be over.  One final way we will have rest is a surcease of all the pain and sorrow this world so often brings us.  God promises to wipe all the tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4) and that there will be no more weeping.  In every way important, Heaven will be a rest.

Heaven is that better country that Abraham was looking for (Heb. 11:16).  And, oh, is it better.  First, realize that it was planned for us by God.  Matt. 25:34  "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world".  cf. John 14:2-3.  So, wait a minute.  You mean that the all-powerful Creator of the universe has been carefully planning and constructing  a paradise for me to live in?  Yes.  Do you think it might be nice?  Do you think that the One who created us might know what it takes to make us happy and content?  And He's had since the creation to work out all the kinks, so to speak. 

Another reason Heaven is a better country is because of who won't be there.  Eph. 5:5  "For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."  Rev 22:14-15  "Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.  Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie."  Notice, all the trouble makers, all those who add to the tribulations natural to this world are outside of Heaven.  No, we aren't wishing damnation on any, but knowing that the unrepentant, obnoxious sinner won't be with us for eternity is a blessing, and something to look forward to. 

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes a vision of Paradise.  When you compare that to some of the descriptions in Revelation 21-22 we see that Heaven is described as a return to the Garden of Eden.   Rev. 21:3 speaks of God dwelling with men; the last time that literally happened was in Eden.    Rev. 22:1-5 speaks of a river of the Water of Life and not a single Tree of Life, but a whole grove of the Trees of Life.  Heaven will be like Eden, only better.  It is a place of joy (Ps. 16:11) and glory.  Col. 3:4  "When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory."   2 Cor. 4:17  "For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory". 

The description of the New Jerusalem in Rev. 21 adds even more to our understanding of the wonder of Heaven.  Two concepts stand out in the description of New Jerusalem.  The first is the extraordinary wealth of the city.  The twelve foundations of the city are each encrusted in different jewels.  Gigantic pearls are used as gates to the city.  (Can you imagine a pearl large enough to be hollowed out and used as a gate?!)  Gold used to paving and building material for the city at large.  This is wealth such as to dwarf dreams.  The point of this over-the-top description is to emphasize the security from want that the inhabitants would enjoy.  For a people who literally had to worry about their daily bread (Matt. 6:11), this security was peace beyond imagining. 

The second aspect of the city was its extreme safety.  If you convert the measurements given in Rev. 21:16-17, the walls of the city were 1,400 miles high and over 200 feet thick.  Marauding armies had no hope of penetrating these walls.  The city was completely secure.  Again, for a people used to periodic attacks from raiders and robbers, that security was a blessing beyond belief.  When Jesus said, in John 10:28, that no one would snatch His sheep out of His hand, He meant it. 

Finally, we are told that this inheritance we will receive is incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:4) and that we will enjoy eternal life with Him in this Paradise (Matt. 25:46, Jn 6:40).  The joy and glory we will know will never end, never fade away, and never seem stale. 

So, is Heaven worth a little sacrifice?
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by Keith Ward, part 2 of last month's topic.
 
Though it is clear that demons no longer inhabit and control people as they did in New Testament times, that does not mean that demons are no longer active.
 
I am often frustrated and sometimes get sinfully angry because things are "out to get me."  Many times, things have happened to ruin a project or a chore in such an unlikely way as to make winning the lottery a sure thing.  A few times, things have gone wrong in ways that clearly violated the laws of physics.  No.  Really!
 
Sounds like paranoia right? But, that does not mean it is not happening.  Consider Job.  Satan said to God, "Bet you I can make him sin." God replied, "No you can't; go to it." Now, we know the story of Job losing everything by natural (?) means in a series of events so improbable that we would hoot and throw popcorn if it were in a movie instead of the Bible.
 
Peter warns, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1Pet 5:8).   Do we not realize that just like he did with Job, Satan is using natural means to destroy us? We hit all the lights green when we have time to spare, and red when we are running late.  The opportunity for pornography, or alcohol, or theft, or slander or….arises when it seems impossible for us to be caught.  Who do you think makes these things happen? That teaching that makes something we want to do seem so right entices us because "even Satan fashions himself into an angel of light.  It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works."  (2Cor 11:14-15). 
 
Demons, agents of Satan, are everywhere working to destroy our walk and turn our claim to be Christians into a mockery.  Sometimes things do "fall up." Sometimes we do believe something we want to be true in spite of unclear logic supporting it.  Whatever it takes, that evil one will do in hopes of destroying us.  Beware!
 
Physical ailments can be "messenger(s) of Satan to buffet" us (2Cor 12:7).
Our best and noblest plans can be hindered by Satan (1Thess 2:18).
Evil men arise to power in the world "according to the working of Satan" (2Thess 2:9).
 
It helps me to deal with my weaknesses to realize that things do not just "happen to happen." Satan is out to get me.  God so warned.  I am not a victim of circumstances.  I am the target of evil trying to destroy me.  My faith is challenged and rises up to defend my soul when I know I am in a warfare and deadly missiles are being aimed at me.  I hope this will help you do the same.
 
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:10-12).
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

When he was first preaching to Cornelius, Peter made an interesting description of Jesus.  Acts 10:38  "Jesus of Nazereth . . . who went about doing good."  There are many other ways I would think of to describe Jesus to someone before I thought of that one.  Son of God.  Man of Sorrows.  King.  Loving Savior.  Yet, Peter's description is perfectly correct.  When you think of His life, Jesus went about doing good.  So, if I am a disciple of Christ -- and disciple means a trained one or one who has been taught to do what his master did -- then my life should be defined by going about doing good too, right?  So, the first question should be exactly how did Jesus do good?
 
He had compassion on the unfortunate. 
Matt. 14:14  "And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick."   Of course Jesus worked miracles to confirm that His message was from God.  He was establishing Himself as the Messiah.  But if displays of power were the only end to His miracles, He could have done anything.  He chose to heal, because He had compassion.  People needed help and He had the ability to help, and so He did.  
He also showed compassion when He fed the hungry.  Mark 8:2-3  "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:  and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far."  This is the time He fed the five thousand and again, a chief motivation to use this sign was His compassion for those unable to help themselves.
Finally, He comforted the bereaved.  Luke 7:12-15  "Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.   And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.  And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother."  This lady was already a widow and now her only child had died.  Beyond the grief normal to any mother, she now was without any means of support.  She was grieving both her son and her own imminent destitution.  Jesus had compassion on her.
 
Another way Jesus went about doing good is that He taught the good news.
Matt. 4:17  "From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  The book of Matthew is mostly a collection of His sermons.  John, a treatise on His miracles, is still mostly comprised of sermons and personal discourses to His apostles.  During the time of His earthly ministry Jesus never stopped proclaiming the good news.  He proclaimed that the kingdom was coming.  He told parable after parable describing the kingdom.  He taught against the formulaic ritualism of the Pharisees and taught the disciples about being servants.  He never quit sharing God's good news.
 
Finally, Jesus sacrificed for others.  Rom. 5:8  "But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  He gave up His own so that others might have what they needed.
 
As His disciples, we can and should be doing these things ourselves.
 
We can have compassion on those less fortunate. 
While we cannot miraculously heal the sick, we can tend to them.  One of the qualifications of a "widow indeed" in 1 Tim. 5:10 is that she "relieve the afflicted."  And, of course, all Christian can pray.  James 5:14-15  "Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him."  While this mentions the elders specifically, we know from a few verses later that the prayers of the righteous all work to good. 
 
We can also work to relieve the unfortunate and feed the hungry.
Gal 2:9-10  "and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision; only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do."  What did Peter et al urge Paul to do?  What did Paul say he was already zealous to do?  Help the poor. Act 11:28-30  "And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.  And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea:  which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul."  These disciples heard of a need and immediately determined to help.  Seems like that was a major focus of first century Christianity.  Can we do that today?  Yes, I know, "If any will not work, neither let him eat.'  2 Thess. 3:10, but not all who are having trouble are unwilling to work, and could it possibly be that we are just looking for excuses not to help?  Many just need a hand and, while we can't miraculously feed 5,000 at once, we can help.  Remember, the first person raised from the dead in the book of Acts wasn't the Apostle James or the great speaker Stephen, but Dorcas who spent her life taking care of the unfortunate (Acts 9:38-41).   
 
Finally, we can comfort the bereaved. 
Rom. 12:15  "Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep."  James 1:27  "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  We can't raise anyone from the dead, but we can be with them, weep with them, sit with them.  We can see to their needs as they go through their grieving process and beyond if the death has left them without support.  We can't work miracles, but in every way that Jesus showed compassion, we can too.
 
And we can all teach the Gospel.  Not all are gifted with the abilities to be teachers, whether in a public way or in one-on-one settings.  Nor should all try (James 3:1).  But every Christian can live his/her life in such a way that his light shines for all the world to see (Matt. 5:14-16).  We can all be ready to explain the reason for the hope we in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15).  This doesn't need to be erudite exposition, just a simple reason why we have hope.  If a Christian who doesn't teach then interests his friend or neighbor he can call on one of the teachers to help follow up.  But all can proclaim the Gospel in our lives.
 
We can also sacrifice for others.  1 Cor. 8:13  "Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble."  The eating of meat isn't a problem in modern churches, but anything I'm doing that could harm a brother -- even if I have a right to do it -- should be sacrificed for our love for each other.  1 Cor. 6:7  "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?"  It is better to accept wrong than cause trouble in the church.  We can, and should, sacrifice our desires for our brethren.
 
Our Lord went about doing good.  Can we do any less?
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

As Jesus came down from the mount of transfiguration, he met a man whose son was demon possessed.  The nine apostles had not been able to cast out the demon and Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith.  After he had cast out the demon, the nine disciples asked Jesus why they had not been able to do so.  Jesus replied, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29).  [Peter, James, and John were on the mount with Jesus and had not failed, or even tried.]
 
Despite the popularity of this movie genre, demons do not possess people today just as they did not do so in the Old Testament.  Demons operated for a short time to show the power of Jesus to control them.  The only Old Testament  passage to use the expression "unclean spirit" which is found so often in the gospels states that they will end in "the day" a fountain is opened for sin (Zech 13:1-2).  In fact, neither demons or unclean spirits are mentioned in any of the epistles as possessing people as they do in the gospels and Acts.
 
Nevertheless, I believe that we are possessed.  Not by spirit beings but by decades of sinful habits or by years of thinking evil thoughts so that our minds are grooved into following those paths.  Often, when we decide to turn over that new leaf, we find that we cannot cast out these "demons." Just like the nine apostles, we have expected it to be easy.  We sowed the wind and find we have a tornado in our soul that we cannot control (Hos 8:7).  Neither baptism nor genuine intent to change is a quick fix for cleansing our souls of these sins.  This kind comes out only by prayer.
 
But, a quick prayer when we are already halfway into the situation will not suffice.  It did not for the nine and these quick patches on a bleeding wound of the soul will not work for us.  And, somehow, I suspect God becomes weary of prayers for forgiveness when there were few or no prayers for strength before we sinned.
 
Our regret for this habitual sin should bring us to the knees of our heart continually throughout the day begging for strength from the Lord.  This earnest care to be pure will have us making time for studied lengthy prayers about our specific sin.  Our indignation that Satan still seeks to use the same old weakness against us again must motivate us to learn scriptures to enrich and strengthen our prayers.  The fear of God's wrath should have us examining the situations that lead us to fall and praying with zeal to prepare for them.  Our longing to be pure before a holy God will lead us to make the time for these prayers, no excuses, no exceptions.
 
Actual unclean spirit demons may not inhabit humans anymore, but the demons we have created by our careless certainty that God will keep on forgiving can be as hard to cast out.  Unless we do, we will not see God.
 
Set your hope perfectly … as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear.  (1Pet 1:13-17)
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

What is the job of a song leader?  I think a lot of us would say that he is the guy who stands up front and starts each song.  That's true enough, and it leads to the idea of starting us off on the proper pitch, keeping the congregation singing at an appropriate pace for the song and maybe even utilizing musicality to enhance the impact of the song.  All of that is true, but it doesn't encompass the entirety of the job of a song leader. 

What is the purpose of singing?  Again, many would answer, "To praise God!"  That is certainly one purpose of singing.  Moses and Miriam each separately led the Israelites in song praising God for their salvation through the Red Sea.  David danced and sang before the Lord.  Certain Levites were assigned to sing in the Temple, praising God.  In John's Revelation we see that in Heaven the saved sing praises to God.  Certainly praising God is a reason to sing; worshipping Him in song has a long history.  While acknowledging this, what does the New Testament teach us about the purpose of singing? 

Eph 5:18-20  And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;  speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;  giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 
 
We are to be speaking to one another with these songs.  The Word dwells in us when we teach and admonish through song.  Our song service is not just a time to praise/worship, but is also a time to teach, edify, and encourage each other. 
 
Understanding that our singing is meant to be a teaching tool what, then, is the job of a song leader?  He should be choosing songs that teach, edify, and encourage (and maybe even rebuke), as well as songs that praise God.  With very little effort, he can choose songs that all follow a single theme, and thereby reinforce the teaching that is being done in song.  All modern songbooks of which I am aware have topical indexes in the back which group the songs by theme.  Therefore, it takes little time or effort to choose a list of songs for a service all of which follow a theme:  the Christian life, or assurance of hope, or our love for God, or His for us, or exhortation to be about His work, or any number of other themes.
 
For example, one might begin a "traditional service" (you know, two songs, a prayer, a song, the LS, a song, the sermon and an invitation song) with "I Want to be a Worker for the Lord" and then sing "O the Things We May Do" before the prayer.  Any Lord's Supper song you like would follow that and then maybe "We'll Work til Jesus Comes" before the sermon and maybe even "Room in God's Kingdom" as an invitation song.  If you're thinking, "wow, that's a little on the nose", then I'd sadly say that you must be unaware of how little attention the average pew-filler pays to what he/she is singing.  It takes being that obvious for the message to seep in and the person to think, "hey, these songs follow a theme!"  I can't tell you how many times I've done this and then asked someone afterward if they had noticed, only to get a dull look and a negative response.  Once, ONCE!!!!! someone said to me, "your songs always seem to follow a theme."  Yes!  I wanted to dance a jig right there in the building!
 
Even if a majority never notice, a strong minority will, and will appreciate the effort the song leader has made to enhance the service by choosing songs that actually teach and that reinforce the teaching through following a theme. 
 
With a bit more effort, the song leader can set out themes that don't just follow the topical index.  When teaching the Psalms on Wednesday night several years ago I noticed that one psalm praised God simply by listing His attributes.  The next Sunday we sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness", "Grace Greater than All Our Sins", "He Loves Me So", and "Holy, Holy, Holy". 
 
Recently on a Sunday evening I led "The Rock that is Higher than I", "Dare to Stand Like Joshua", "This World is not My Home", and "On Jordan's Stormy Banks".  On the surface, that may not sound like a themed song service, but "The Rock that is Higher than I" is about the difficulties of this life and our reliance upon the Lord to get through it, then "Dare to Stand Like Joshua" is about making the decision to follow God no matter how hard it is.  That being followed by "This World is not My Home" shows the maturity of a Christian who is no longer tied to this world and is waiting anxiously for the reward while "On Jordan's Stormy Banks" is a declaration of the reward being sure.   Picking a list like that still isn't hard, but it does take a few moments of thought, and an understanding of what each song is about and what it teaches.  While the average Christian may not catch the fulness of the theme in a service like that, he/she is singing through it and some of those ideas will stick.  Oh! and notice that how fun the song is to sing or how musically challenging it is has NOTHING to do with a leader choosing songs which help his congregation in "teaching and admonishing one another". What matters is the message, the words we sing, not the catchy tunes.
 
Often, when I'm preparing to lead I'll have a song I want to sing and I'll just pick other songs that fit the ideas expressed in the first song.  If I know the preacher has been doing a series of lessons, I might pick songs that fit his topic.  Other times I'll pick songs that fit with some idea I've been mulling over, praying and studying about.  It rarely takes me more than 5-10 minutes to get a service ready (after all, I'm not writing the songs) but that is time well spent in leading the people to let the word dwell in them richly.
 
Not every song service needs to be thematic.  There are certainly times for great songs which mean a lot and cross into several areas of Christian life.  Every song should be carefully selected for what it is teaching, however, and what its impact will be on our brothers and sisters. 
 
A song leader's job is more important than most Christians think.  We spend almost as much time leading the congregation in teaching and admonishing as the preacher does is "reproving, rebuking, and exhorting".  While the average Christian may have trouble remembering what the sermon was about on Thursday, that same Christian may still be humming one of the songs we sang.  Song leaders need to take responsibility and be aware that we are to do more than just start the song on the right note. 
 
Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Warren Berkley.

While the New Testament says that a local church can die (Rev. 3:1), we should not be rash in expressing that judgment. First, we do not enjoy the insight and authority of the One who gave the verdict against Sardis. Further, there are some things easy to overlook in our haste.

1. Before you get too far into evaluating a group, be certain you evaluate yourself (Matt. 7:1-6). The Lord hasn’t called us to walk into churches and pronounce them dead. He has called us to evaluate ourselves by the highest standard, be patient, avoid grumbling and pitch in and help. Judgment from a distance and without self-examination is often flawed.
2. Most of the spiritual life of a local church will not be visible when the church is assembled. There are members helping needy members privately; preachers and elders encouraging and studying with members and other events private in nature (Matt. 6:1-18). There are members living righteously against the struggles of life, praying, talking to people about the Lord and raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Much of this may not be announced, publicized or obvious between 9:30 and noon Sunday morning.
3. Scriptural leadership is critical to the life of a local church. But there are cases where some resist good oversight. An entire congregation and/or the elders should not be adversely judged by the misconduct of some.
4. The consistent preaching and teaching of the Word of God is essential. If the Word is being presented (even if not in a style or venue you prefer), you should be capable of taking the Word and the lessons from it out of the building and into your life.
5. The care of the members for each other is a sign of life. This care must run far deeper and practical than just the shaking of hands and the smiling of faces. Your judgment about the “emotional tenor” of the group is personal, preferential and subjective. Quick criticism based on “what I want” can express more about me than the group.
6. The life of a local church must never be dismissed based on money, numbers or building. While it is true that faithful members will give to best of their ability, seek to convert people and make the best provision they can for assembling, these three things are not the primary signs of spiritual life. {Many churches pass the test of money, numbers and physical building – but fail to meet the test of submission to Christ.}
7. The key to the life of any local church is, honoring Christ. Poor people and old people can honor Christ can’t they? They may not seem to be lively to the eyes of some. God knows.

 
Warren Berkley

Warren is a gospel preacher, author, and the writer of berksblog.net.  He is also a fellow writer for the emag Pressing On.